New York Mets: Why They Won't Regret How They Handled R.A. Dickey

It has been a tumultuous couple of months for the New York Mets and R.A. Dickey. In case you haven't heard, the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner's contract is due to expire at the close of the 2013 season. The Mets and their fans have grown quite fond of Dickey and his 110 percent attitude on and off the field.

The problem that GM Sandy Alderson and the rest of the Mets brass face is whether or not to extend Dickey's contract, or try and trade the 20-game winner while his value is still high.

Discussions got even more intense last week during the Winter Meetings in Nashville. Reports and rumors had Dickey looking like he was going to Kansas City, or Texas, or Toronto. But some reports suggest the Mets and Dickey continue to progress towards a contract agreement.

When all is said and done during these offseason negotiations, the Mets shouldn't be at fault for any mishandling of the right-handed knuckleballer's contract. I do believe that the Mets organization is trying to do the best thing for Dickey, the fans and the franchise.

If they do indeed trade him, the Mets seem to be demanding at least one top-level prospect in return, which could obviously help the club long-term. And if Dickey is dealt to a club like the Rangers, that would instantly put him in line for a chance to win a World Series ring.

However, should the Mets decide to keep Dickey around for another couple of years, he would bring stability and leadership to a Mets rotation that (aside from Johan Santana and Jon Niese) has some definite question marks.

There's no question that heading into the offseason, taking care of David Wright's contract status was the team's top priority. That issue has since been completed, with the two sides agreeing to a contact extension that will keep Wright in Queens until at least 2020.

Now that the face of the franchise is secured, the Mets can devote just about all of their attention towards Dickey.

With over two months until spring training begins, and Dickey a part of the rotation for at least another season, there doesn't seem to be a need for any move to get done right away. Met fans just "gotta believe" that the leadership will do what's best for all involved.